Ship launching apparatus and method



Nov. 18, 1969 c. J. FOSTER SHIP LAUNCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1968 INVENTOR C/IR/J'TOP/IFR J. #03754 a r 1ATTORNEYf' Nov. 18, 1969 c. J. FOSTER SHIP LAUNCHING APPARATUS ANDMETHOD 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed s 1. 1968 NGQ I Wip M TTORNEY! UnitedStates Patent .0

3,478,526 SHIP LAUNCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD Christopher J. Foster,Sands Point, NY. (14 Vanderventer Ave., Port Washington, N.Y. 11050)Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 538,447, June 17, 1966. Thisapplication May 1, 1968. Ser.

Int. Cl. B63c 3/00 US. C]. 61-67 22 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREBackground of the invention This application is a continuation-in-partof my copending application, Ser. No. 538,447, filed June 17, 1966, nowabandoned.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for launching afloatable structure of virtually any size.

Conventional practice for launching large ships dictates that the shipbe constructed on sloping fixed ways and thereafter moved down thesloping ways and into the water. The necessity for having to construct aship on sloping launching ways has many disadvantages which include thenecessity for providing launching ways for all ships under constructionat the same time and a long water front to accommodate the multiplelaunching sites. In addition, production will normally be lower sincethe number of launching sites will determine the number of ships whichcan be constructed at any one time.

Brief summary I have now developed a new and improved launchingapparatus which permits a floatable structure such as a ship to beconstructed on the apparatus in a horizontal position or on convenientlylocated level ground and then moved to the apparatus for launching.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which willpermit a floatable structure to be built on the apparatus or onconveniently located level ground and then moved to the apparatus forlaunching.

Another object of this invention also contemplates an apparatus for sideor end launchings in which a floatable structure is launched from aninclined platform or from a sloping ramp employed in conjunction with aninclined platform.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method forlaunching a floatable structure.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the launching apparatus with a vesselresting on rollers on the launching platform;

FIGURE 1A is an enlarged view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 used torestrain the vessel on the platform to prevent premature launching;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the launching apparatus with thelaunching platform inclined and the vessel being launched using rollers;and

3,478,526 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 "ice FIGURE 3 is a perspective view ofthe launching apparatus with the launching platform inclined and thevessel being launched using greased launching ways.

An apparatus for launching a floatable structure, in accordance with myinvention, comprises a platform for supporting a floatable structure;means for supporting the platform; means for tilting or inclining theplatform; and means for affecting movement of the floatable structuredown the inclined platform so that as the platform inclines downwardlythe floatable structure will move down the inclined platform and intothe water. The offshore side of the platform need not be in contact withthe water but may terminate above the level of the water. Anotherfeature of this invention includes a sloping ramp located on theoffshore side of the platform which, for example, consists of a soilembankment, a supported structure, or the like. The ramp should besloped at an angle which aligns the ramp with the platform in theinclined or tilted position. In addition, the ramp may be provided withsuitable flooring, e.g. wood, and means for affecting movement of thefloatable structure across the inclined platform, down the ramp, andthen into the water. The ramp need not be in actual contact with thewater but instead may be built to the edge of the water, or extend overthe water somewhat, so that the velocity of the floatable structuremoving down the ramp is sufficient to carry it into the water. Theplatform and ramp may be constructed of, for example, reinforcedconcrete, timber or steel.

The platform can be supported by resting it on the ground or afoundation or on a structure built over the water.

Means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down theinclined platform or sloping ramp include rollers, wheeled trucksmounted on tracks, lubricated launching ways (e.g., grease, nylon,Teflon or other chemical lubricated material), dollies, air cushion andthe like.

The launching apparatus in accordance with this invention is designedsuch that the stability of the floatable structure, ship or vessel, asthe case may be, when it confacts the water after sliding down theinclined platform or ramp, is always ensured against overturning becausethe buoyancy of the inundated outer triangular portion of the hullsection when entering the water parallel to the waves creates astabilizing righting moment much greater than the upsetting moment ofthe water upon impact.

Any conventional means can be used to move the ship from theconstruction location to the platform. Such conventional means includerollers, wheeled trucks, lubricated sliding ways (e.g. grease, nylon,Teflon or other chemical lubricated material), dollies, air cushion andthe like.

Means for tilting or inclining the platform comprise an assembly whichincludes means for pivoting the platform; a confined basin, positionedbeneath the upland or offshore ends of the platform, which is filledwith liquid to a first predetermined level; means for changing theliquid level in the basin; buoyant supporting means supporting the endof the platform; means for supporting the buoyant support; and means foraffecting movement of the floatable structure across the platform sothat as the liquid level in the basin is changed to a secondpredetermined level, the

- platform inclines downwardly and the floatable structure by resting iton the ground, a foundation or a structure built over the water. If theconfined basin is located beneath the upland end of the platform, theoffshore end of the platform should extend somewhat beyond the platformsupport to permit the offshore end freedom to move downwardly. In thislatter embodiment, a support can be positioned below the horizontal tosupport the offshore end in the down position.

The means for changing the liquid level in the basin can be one or moredouble-acting pumps which can either remove liquid from the basin orpump liquid from a reservoir into the basin, or a gravity, pressure, orvacuum system. For instance, if the confined basin is positioned beneaththe upland end of the platform, the pump will deliver water to the basinand thus raise the upland end of the platform from the horizontal to aninclined position for launching.

The buoyant supporting means can, for example, include a timberstructure or pontoon tanks made for instance of metal, wood, fiberglass, concrete or synthetic materials.

The means for supporting the buoyant support when the liquid level inthe basin is changed to a predetermined level can, for example, comprisean underwater supporting member submerged in the basin and constructedof sand or gravel fill, timber, steel or concrete piles and caps, or aconcrete floor slab. When the confined basin is located beneath theupland end of the platform, the underwater member can be positioned topermit the buoyant support to rest on it when the platform ishorizontal.

Restraining means may also be provided to prevent the ship fromprematurely launching during the pivoting operation. Such means includeconcentric or eccentric restraining devices which are restrained andreleased by remote controlled hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical triggermechanisms.

Besides the hydraulic means exemplified by a confined basin andfloatable support, the means for tilting or inclining the platform mayinstead comprise a pivoting means and, positioned beneath an end of theplatform, a hydraulic ram. If the ram is positioned beneath the offshoreend of the platform, in the raised or extended position, it willmaintain the platform horizontal and, in the lowered or retractedposition, it will permit the offshore end of the platform to pivotdownwardly below the horizontal under the weight of the floatablestructure. From the tilted platform, the floatable structure is allowedto move down the platform and into the water for launching or to asloping ramp and then into the water for launching. Instead of ahydraulic ram, a pneumatic system for lowering the offshore side of theplatform could be employed. Alternatively, a mechanical gear arrangementcould be installed for lowering the platform on the offshore side fromthe horizontal to a declivity sufiicient for launching a floatablestructure. Another means for tilting or inclining the platform comprisesa pivoting means positioned beneath the offshore end of the platform anda hydraulic ram, pneumatic ram, or gear arrangement located on theupland side or positioned beneath the upland end of the platform. Inthis latter assembly, the hydraulic ram, pneumatic ram or geararrangement, as the case may be, will cause the upland end of theplatform to be moved upwardly above the normal horizontal position whilethe offshore end of the platform moves downwardly. If the pivoting,means are positioned at the offshore end, the upward movement of theupland end merely causes the offshore end to pivot about the pivotingmeans. Thus, the platform may be tilted or inclined to an anglesufficient to permit the floatable structure to move downwardly into thewater or onto a sloping ramp and then into the water.

The angle or tilt or declination that the platform makes with thehorizontal when in the inclined or tilted position for launching afloatable structure is not critical. The angle necessary for launchingwill vary with the coefficient of friction and the particular meanschosen to move the floatable structure down the inclined platform orramp. In this connection, the angle of declination (as measured from thehorizontal) need not be as great when the means for moving the floatablestructure down the inclined platform or sloping ramp consist of rollers,or wheeled trucks running on tracks. If the means for traveling thefloatable structure down the inclined platform or ramp comprise greasedways, then the angle should be somewhat steeper. I have found that aslope of approximately one quarter inch vertical in twelve incheshorizontal is sufficient to permit the ship or other floatable structureto readily move down the inclined platform and aligned sloping ramp intothe water when rollers running on tracks are supplied. When greased waysare used as the traveling means, a slope of about one and one-halfinches vertical in twelve inches horizontal is sufficient.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to the drawings,FIGURE 1 shows the launching apparatus which comprises a platform 1located in the vicinity of a body of water 12 and rigidly supported 2 onthe upland side. A ship or vessel 5 which has been transported to theplatform on rollers 6 which move along tracks 7 has been placed on theplatform 1 in the horizontal position. While on the platform, the vesselrests on rollers 6. The platform is supported on the offshore side by apontoon 3 which is attached to the platform by welded joint 15. Thepontoon is floating in water 10 of confined basin 16. The water level inthe confined basin is at a first predetermined height so that theplatform is in the substantially horizontal position. As can be seenfrom FIGURE 2, the water level in the confined basin 16 has beendecreased to a second predetermined level so that pontoon 3 rests uponsubmerged support 11 and the weight of the vessel 5 causes the platform1 to tilt or incline in the direction of the water on pivot bearing 4located between the basin and the upland support. Ramp 9 of the offshoreside of platform 1 and basin 16 slopes downwardly toward the body ofwater 12 and is aligned with the platform 1 in the tilted position.Downwardly sloping ramp 9 is also provided with tracks 7 upon whichrollers 6 travel to affect movement of the vessel down the ramp and intothe water. FIGURE 2 shows the vessel 5 in the inclined positiontraveling downwardly across the tilted platform onto downwardly slopingramp 9 from which it is launched into the water 12.

The water level in the confined basin 16 can be increased or decreasedby means of a conventional pumping apparatus which comprises adouble-acting pump 18 and connecting line 13. Valve 14 controls the rateof water addition or removal from the basin. The water level in thebasin may be increased to any predetermined height by the sameconventional pumping means 18 which can also be used to pump water froma reservoir into the basin 16 and raise the water level a predeterminedamount.

Conventional restraining device 19 shown in FIGURES 1, 1A and 2 canmaintain the vessel in position even though platform 1 is tilted in thelaunching position by positioning lever arm 20 in slot 22 and againstprojecting member 21 which is fastened to roller 6. When it is desirousto permit the launching to take place, restraining device 19 may bedeactuated by causing lever arm 20 to rotate downwardly in a clockwisedirection using, for example, a synchronous motor so that allrestraining devices will be released at the same time. When lever arm 20is moved downwardly into the deactuated position, vessel 5 is free totravel down the tilted platform onto the sloping ramp and then into thewater as shown in FIG- URE 2.

Pontoon 3 is attached to platform 1 through welded joint 15. Instead ofwelding the pontoon to the platform, the pontoon may be detachablyconnected with a bolted joint or a pin connected joint.

FIGURE 3 shows platform 1 and the downwardly sloping ramp 9 providedwith fixed greased launching ways 8 for moving the vessel down theinclined platform and sloping ramp to the water.

As shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, rollers 6 running on track 7 can be usedto move the vessel to the launching platform. FIGURE 3 shows the rollers6 on tracks 7 which are used to transport the vessel from an uplandconstruction site. The vessel 5 is then moved from the rollers 6 to thefixed greased launching ways 8 of platform 1. The vessel can also bemoved to the launching platform using fixed greased launching ways inconjunction with traveling ways.

The launching apparatus, in accordance with my invention, can be usedfor launching floatable structures .yvhich would include ships orvessels or virtually any size, barges, floating bridges, caissons, andthe like. When launching very large ships, e.g. about 800 feet or longerin length, it is not practical to use the launching apparatus thusdescribed as a single continuous apparatus approaching the length of theship. Instead, several launching platforms can be employed by lining thelaunching assemblies side-by-side along the entire length of the ship.In such an arrangement, the tilting of the platforms would have to bedone simultaneously so that the vessel or other floatable structurecould be moved down the several platforms comprising the launchingassembly.

FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 show a side launching of vessel 5 although thelaunching apparatus in accordancewith my invention is not limited tosuch side launchings. In addition, my launching apparatus can bearranged for use in end launchings. For end launchings, the dimesions ofthe platform, ramp and floatable support or pontoon would have to bearranged so that the length of the ship is taken into consideration.

This invention also contemplates a method for launching a floatablestructure which comprises placing a fioatable structure on a supportedplatform situated in the vicinity of a body of water, said platformhaving means for affecting movement of the floatable structure acrossits surface; and then inclining the platform in the directtion of thewater (i.e. in the direction which permits the floatable structure totravel down the inclined platform and into the water), whereby thefloatable structure moves downwardly along the inclined platform andinto the water. This method for launching a floatable structure may alsobe carried out when a downwardly sloping ramp, provided with means forpermitting a floatable structure to travel across its surface, is placedon the offshore side of the platform and is aligned with the platformwhen the platform is in the tilted position.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction withpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications andvariations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as those skilled in the art will readilyunderstand.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for launching a fiotatable structure from a positionadjacent a body of water which comprises:

a platform for supporting the fiotatable structure;

means for supporting the platform;

means for pivoting the platform from a normally horizontal position toan inclined launching position;

a stationary ramp located adjacent the offshore side of the platform,said ramp being aligned with the platform in the inclined position; and

means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across theplatform and ramp, so that as the platform is inclined downwardly thefloatable struc ture will move down the inclined platform, onto theramp, and into the water.

2. An apparatus for launching a floatable structure from a positionadjacent a body of water which comprises:

(a) a platform for supporting the floatable structure;

(b) means for supporting the platform;

(c) means for pivoting the platform;

(d) a confined basin, positioned beneath an end of the platform, whichis filled with liquid to a first predetermined level;

(e) means for changing the liquid level in the basin;

(f) bouyant supporting means positioned in the basin supporting saidend; and

(g) means for affecting movement of the floatable structure across theplatform, so that as the liquid level in the basin is changed to asecond predetermined level the platform inclines downwardly and thefloatable structure will move down the inclined platform and into thewater.

3. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including a ramplocated adjacent the offshore side of the platform, said ramp beingaligned with the platform in the inclined position and provided withmeans for affecting movement of the floatable structure down the rampand into the water.

4. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 which includesrestraining means for preventing the floatable structure fromprematurely launching.

5. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 which includes meansfor supporting the buoyant support.

6. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the confinedbasin is positioned beneath the offshore end of the platform.

7. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 6 which includesrestraining means for preventing the floatable structure fromprematurely launching.

8. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein the buoyantsupporting means comprise pontoons.

9. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the meansfor supporting the buoyant support when the liquid level in the basin isdecreased to the second predetermined level comprise a supporting membersubmerged in the basin.

10. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the meansfor pivoting the platform comprise a pivot bearing.

11. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the meansfor affecting movement of the floatable structure on the platformcomprise lubricated launchmg ways.

12. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein the meansfor affecting movement of the floatable structure on the platformcomprise tracks and rollers.

13. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein the meansfor changing the liquid level in the basin comprise a double-actingpump.

14. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the liquidin the basin is water.

15. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 14 including a ramplocated on the offshore side of the platform, said ramp being alignedwith the platform in the inclined position and provided with means foraffectmg movement of the floatable structure down the ramp and into thewater.

16. A method of launching a floatable structure from an apparatuspositioned adjacent a body of water, said apparatus comprising aplatform for supporting the floatable structure, means for affectingmovement of the floatable structure across the surface of the platform,means for pivoting the platform, releasable restraining means forpreventing premature launching of the floatable structure, and astationary ramp positioned adjacent the offshore side of the platform;including the steps of pivoting the platform from a horizontal positionto an inclined launching position, aligning the platform with thestationary ramp, and then deactuating the restraining means, whereby thefloatable structure will move down the inclined platform, onto the ramp,and into the water.

17. A method of launching a floatable structure from an apparatussituated in the vicinity of a body of water and having a platform forsupporting a fioatable structure, means for supporting the platform,means for pivoting the platform in the direction of the water, aconfined basin positioned beneath an end of the platform and which isfilled with liquid to a first predetermined level, means for changingthe liquid level in the basin, buoyant supporting means supporting saidend of the platform, means for affecting movement of the floatablestructure across the platform and releasable restraining means forpreventing the floatable structure from prematurely launching when theplatform is inclined; including the steps of moving the fioatablestructure onto the platform, changing the liquid level in the basin to asecond predetermined level, whereby the platform inclines in thedirection of the water, and then deactuating the restraining means, sothat the fioatable structure will move down the inclined platform andinto the water.

18. A method of launching a fioatable structure in accordance with claim17 wherein the launching apparatus includes a stationary, downwardlysloping ramp positioned adjacent the offshore side of the platform andhaving means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down theramp, including the step of aligning the inclined platform with theramp, whereby the floatable structure will move down the inclinedplatform, onto the ramp, and into the water.

19. A method of launching a floatable structure from an apparatussituated in the vicinity of a body of water and having a platform forsupporting a floatable structure, means for supporting the platform,means for pivoting the platform in the direction of the water, aconfined basin positioned beneath an end of the platform and which isfilled with liquid to a first predetermined level, means for changingthe liquid level in the basin, buoyant supporting means supporting saidend of the platform, means for affecting movement of the fioatablestructure across the platform, and releasable restraining means forpreventing the floatable structure from prematurely launching when theplatform is inclined; in-

cluding the steps of constructing the fioatable structure on theplatform, changing the liquid level in the basin to a secondpredetermined level, whereby the platform inclines in the direction ofthe water, and then deactuating the restraining means, whereby thefioatable structure will move down the inclined platform and into thewater.

20. A method of launching a floatable structure in accordance with claim19 wherein the launching apparatus includes a stationary, downwardlysloping ramp positioned adjacent the oifshore side of the platform andhaving means for affecting movement of the floatable structure down theramp, including the step of aligning the platform with the ramp, wherebythe floatable structure will move down the inclined platform, onto theramp, and into the water.

21. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the meansfor pivoting the platform are positioned intermediate the ends of theplatform.

22. A launching apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the meansfor pivoting the platform are positioned intermediate the ends of theplatform.

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